How it works

1. You report it

Open the app and tap what is wrong. Take up to five photos, check the pin on the map, and say or type what you see. If the report needs something about you — a missed bin needs your address — the app shows what it will send and why before you press Report.

2. We work out who deals with it

UK responsibilities are split in ways nobody should have to learn. In much of England a pothole is the county council's job but litter is the district council's; a burst main belongs to the water company; a leaning electricity pole to the regional network operator. Area Watch looks your location up in the official postcode data and picks the organisation for that place and that kind of problem.

3. We file it

Area Watch sends the report the way that organisation takes them: through its online reporting system where it has one, by email with the photos attached, or by a member of our team filling in its form. Every report carries an Area Watch reference such as AW-2026-000123, so it cannot be filed twice by mistake.

4. You hear back

You get a notification when the report has been filed, with the organisation's own reference when it gives one. Anything they tell us appears in the case under My cases. When it is fixed, mark it closed.

What it is not

Area Watch is not an emergency service. Reports are dealt with during working hours. If anyone is in danger call 999; for a smell of gas 0800 111 999; for a power cut or fallen power line 105. The app shows these numbers instead of filing a report.